Online Healthcare Administration Bachelor Degrees

Individuals interested in a Bachelor of Healthcare Administration understand that a system is only as efficient as it’s squeakiest cog. Averaging around three trillion dollars a year, the healthcare industry is one of the most vibrant sectors of business, impervious to economic decline or recession. Furthermore, the healthcare industry boasts an over 20% expected job growth within the next 10 years!

Many people incorrectly use the terms “healthcare administration” and “healthcare management” interchangeably. However, there are subtle but important differences between the two. While healthcare management deals with managing a facility from a big-picture business perspective, healthcare administration focuses more on managing staff and directing the day-to-day activities such as human resources, payroll, finances, patient records, and departmental budgeting.

While the higher-level administrative positions often require a master’s degree, there are many entry-level positions that are available for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, especially if they have work or internship experience.

For example, large practices are often divided into multiple specialties like surgical services or medical records, each of which requires individual oversight. Smaller offices may have a single person who supervises the entire office and its daily operations.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree, most administrative jobs require 2-5 years of work experience. This is where pursuing an online Bachelor of Healthcare Administration is particularly valuable. Students have the benefit of building their resumes and gaining valuable on-the-job experience while completing their coursework. And for programs that require an internship, work hours can be seamlessly transferred over for college credit.

Healthcare administration is a demanding but rewarding career. Administrators are the life-blood of the medical practice, determining the efficiency, stress-level, and harmony of their team’s work environment. Administrators are skilled communicators with an eye for detail and a knack for creating order out of chaos. The diversity of job prospects leaves little room for boredom, and plenty of opportunity for upward advancement.